Nigeria, Saudi Arabia Sign Deal to Strengthen Customs Cooperation
Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have signed a landmark agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters, in a bid to boost trade security, improve enforcement, and modernise customs operations.
The agreement was signed by Nigeria’s Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and Suhail bin Mohammed Abanmi, Governor of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority of Saudi Arabia, on the sidelines of the ongoing 145th/146th Sessions of the Customs Co-operation Council at the World Customs Organisation (WCO) headquarters in Brussels.
Spokesperson for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Abdullahi Maiwada, confirmed the development in a statement issued Friday in Abuja.
Describing the agreement as a major step forward in Nigeria’s strategic customs diplomacy, Adeniyi said it reaffirmed the country’s commitment to fostering cross-border partnerships for secure and efficient trade.
“This agreement provides a strong platform for operational synergy in tackling customs offences, sharing intelligence, and ensuring the fair and accurate application of customs laws,” he stated.
The agreement establishes a formal framework for mutual administrative assistance between the two countries. It covers key areas such as customs enforcement, valuation, classification of goods, revenue protection, and coordinated border management.
According to Adeniyi, the deal is grounded in internationally recognised instruments, particularly the 1953 WCO Recommendation on Mutual Administrative Assistance and other conventions both countries are signatories to.
He added that the collaboration goes beyond enforcement, noting that it would drive innovation and build trust in customs systems.
“Nigeria is proud to join hands with Saudi Arabia in advancing a future where customs operations are smarter, faster, and more cooperative,” he said.
Under the agreement, both nations will support each other through joint investigations, data sharing, and the enforcement of trade laws, including prohibitions and restrictions, within the limits of their respective legal frameworks.
The agreement is open-ended in duration, with provisions for amendment or termination through written notification via diplomatic channels.
